Basketball Equipment: Specifications and Gear

Basketball Equipment: Specifications and Gear

Basketball Equipment

The official basketball size varies by league:

Basketball Specifics

  1. Men’s professional (NBA): Size 7 — about 29.5 inches (75 cm) in circumference, weighing around 22 ounces (623 grams).
  2. Women’s professional (WNBA) and youth leagues use a slightly smaller size 6 ball (28.5 inches circumference).
  3. Made of leather, composite, or rubber, designed for good grip and bounce.

Player Gear

  1. Shoes: Specialized basketball shoes with good ankle support and cushioning to handle quick movements and jumps.
  2. Jerseys and Shorts: Lightweight, breathable uniforms with team colors and player numbers.
  3. Protective Gear: Includes mouthguards, knee and elbow pads, and sometimes padded compression sleeves or ankle braces to prevent injuries.

Other Essentials

  1. Scoreboard: Displays the game score, time remaining, fouls, and sometimes player stats.
  2. Shot Clock: A timer (usually 24 seconds in professional play) that limits how long a team can possess the ball before attempting a shot.
  3. Basketball Hoop and Backboard: The rim is 10 feet above the floor with a sturdy backboard for rebounds and bank shots.
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